[aSnakeLovinBabe]

praying mantids are ambush predators. they rely on their camoflage and sit and wait for something to come close. They have amazing vision, and once they see a meal they will inch their way towards it and grab it with their two front legs, which have spurs on them that act like teeth, holding their meal in place. They only live for one year and breeding season. Around here, they are born during the first few warm days, out of a large egg sac that looks a lot like foam. They spend the summer growing and usually by july they are reaching adulthood. The males then seek out a female, and 90% of the time, the female will reach back during mating and rip the males head off at eat it during copulation. I used to have a 6 foot little tree that mantids lived and bred on all summer, I would always stuff the females full so tehy didnt kill my males! The females lay their egg sac in late summer/fall, and even if you bring them inside when it gets cold, they will always die by the end of november. They make great pets, theyll take bugs right out of your hands, and if you scare them they will open thier wings up and do this creepy butterfly like dance.. oh yes and they will bite you and stab you with their pokers too!!! its just really sad that they are an insect you can actually really bond with and enjoy keeping, and then they are gone!!!